The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1887-09-30
OUR NATIONAL CONSTITUTION.
Last and Crownlns Day Of the Celebration Of the
Formation Of the Federal Constitution

Saturday the 18th, was the last day OF
the Philadelphia Celebration OF the Consti-
tuition OF the United States, and in some re-
spects, the greatest. The whole body OF the
people, with vast accessions from abroad,
gave themselves up to IT'S full enjoyment.
At the memorial meeting at Independ
ence Hall, the appearance of the president
and mis- wife at the head ola double column
OF distinguished visitors created a
perfect uproar OF applause as they
came down the center aisle towards
their places in front. The president
leaned on the arm OF Ex-Minister
Kasson, and directly behind them came
Mrs. Cleveland, leaning OH the urn OF
Thomas Thompson, chairman OF the com
mittee on the reception OF distinguished
guests. Neyt came Secretary Bayara,
Daniel Lamont and wife and Secretary
Fairchild.
After nil had reached the stand, Bishop
Potter arose~and being followed by all OF
those who occupied the reserved space,
made the opening prayer. Then Gen.
Sheridan, with his aides, followed closely
and II number OF Catholic clergy, marched
down the aisle, cheered to the echo.
When they had been seated President
Kasson, OF the centennial commission as
sumed his place, and. after hymn had been
rendered by the chorus, arose to make the
Introductory address of the day. His re-
marks were punctuated with many dem.
onstrations OF appreciation. Mrs.
Cleveland sat almost in front OF the
of all eyes. Cardinal Gibbons, wearing
the cardinal colors OF his exalted office,
sat at the side OF the speakers. and was
one OF the most attentive listeners.
Ex- Minister kasson escorted the presi-
dent to the speakers rostrum. and ut 1:55
he commenced a ten-minute address, which
was received with thunderous applause.
His enunciation was clear and perfect. and
his voice rang out audibly to the thous-
ands OF ears. He said:
| deem it very great honor and pleas
ure to participate in tt,ess impressive en-
.rcises. Every American citizen should on
this centennial day rejoice in his citizen
ship. He will not find the
cause OF rejoicing in the antiquity OF
his country. for among the nations of the
earth his stands with tho youngest. He
will not find it in the glitter and the pomp
that bedeck monarch aud dazzle abiect
and seryile subjects, for in his country the
people themselves are rulcrs. He will not
lind it in the story OF bloody foreign con.
quests. for his government has been con-
tent to care for it's own domain and peo.
pie. He should rejoice because the work
Of framing our constitution was completed
100 years ago to-day, and also because
when completed it established q
'ree government. He should re.
oice because this constitution and govern.
ment have survived so long, and also be-
cause they have survived with so many
blessings and have demonstrated 80 fully
the strength and value OF popular rule.
He should rejoice in the wonderous growth
and achievements OF the past 100 years,
and also in the glorious promise OF the
constitution through centuries to come.
We shall fail to be duly thankful for all
that was done for ns 400 years ago unless
we realize the difficulties OF the work
then in hand, and the dangers avoided in the
task offormingn IL nj ore perfect union between
lisjointed and inharmonious states, with
interests and opinions radically diverse
and stubbornly maintained. The perplex-
tiles OF the convention which undertook
the labors OF preparing our constitution
are apparent in these earnest words OF one
Of its most illustriots OF its members.
! The president here quoted words spoken
| oy the member referred to- expressive OF
The difficulties which beset the trainers OF
The constitution, and suggesting that the
| blessing OF God be invoked upon their Ia
oors. In the face OF all discoura gements
the fathers OF the republic laborcd for four
ong weary months, in alternate hope
and fear, but always with rugged
resolve, never faltering in sturdy endeavor
,anctified by a prophetic sense OF the val
le to posterity OF their success and always
With unfinching faith in the principles
nhich mako the foundation Of govern.
nenh by the people. AS we look down the
past century to the origin OF our oonstitu.
sion, as we contemplate its trials and its
sriumphs, as we realize how completely
The principles upon which it is based have
met every national peril and every ma tional
aeed, how devoutly should we confess with
franklin, God governs the affairs o.
men" and how solemn should be the refle q.
| tinn that to our hands is committed the
ark OF the peoples covenant, and that ours
| 10 the duty to shield itfrom impious hands
! We receive it sealeu with the test OF u cen.
tury. 1t has been found eufficient in The
past, and in all the future years it will be
| 'ound sufficient if the American people are
true to their sacred trust. Another cen
tennial day will come, and millions YET
Unborn will inquire concerning oul
stewardship and the safety o.
J .heir constitution. God grant that the,
may find it unimpaired; and-as we rejoicl
II the patriotism and devotion Of thos,
Xho lived hundred years ago, So ma,
others who follow us rejoice in our fidelity
and in our jealous love for constitutions
liberty.
| When the president was in the middle a
his remarks the soft mellow sound OF tht
oell in the cupola OF the state house which
occupies tho place OF honor on the structur,
:ousing cheer went up from the crowd
The president was obliged to stop talking
or IL few seconds. 1t was Just 1905 wher
he president uttered his last word, and h,
1T once retired to his seat. Before tn,
Icho OF his words had died away there wa.
cheering which was deafenilg Will,
:, .he applause was still going on, the crowt
broke into patriotic air, and the din wal
.errifilc
As far Rs the eye could reach there was on,
.olid, seething,. .surging mass OF humanity
md when their throats opened in unison
they filled the air and made an inspirin,
scene. When quiet once more reigned
Justice Samuel r. Miller, Of the United
T States supreme court fdeliveged yer,
able and eloquent memorial address. A.
lust Miller wac seated the band strrcl
lp Hail Columbia" as an accompe nj
nent TO the chorus two Thousand strong
PRESIDENT Kasson toek thearm otCardina
Gibbons, rho,. with the tering sun pour
Ra9 hs assa ssatsnts o IN Sndtae ssoa rs, s
tea X1II.. Looked his best and was the reel
4 oient otmuch attention. After walking t,
ihe front OF the stand and pay
ng his respects to the thouaand
II people who surged in ant
around the square. with a bow Re turned
md facing the president, and within hear
ng OF all who occupied seats around tn
:ircle offered prayer. The most impor
iant social event took place when Mrs
Cleveland was entertained by Mr.. an,
Mrs. George w. Childs. at Wooton thei
beautiful country seat Mt Bryn Mawr
The occasion was marked By the presenc
oi great number Of distinguished persons
VI Upon reaching Mr.. Childs' grounds, the i'm
oromptu coaching party went ut once to th
.pring house, and after being shown it's Mt
fractions Mr.. Chids led them to an enclos
Ire near by, where seven or eight thorovgI
bred Jerseys were browsing. Mrs. CIaVeian,
vas told that she might choose whioheve
4 ,ne OF them abe wantedior present
Grace, a prettily co)ored hei
.r, eighteen months old, had tn
honor OF being chosen, and as her new mil
:ress announced the fact she turned laugh
ngly to Gen. Sheridan and said: "Genera
10 you think am mean in taking til
oest?" Mrs. Cleveland soon alter mounte
;he tally.ho end droye the party herse
e Mr., Childs' house, handling the reins i
,killiul atyls. 80
Three hundred persons sat down to ti
:, centennial banquet ot the Hibernian &C
.iety. As Preaident Cleveland entered tn
ntire assemblsge arose and ami,,st che
and waving Of handkerchief 70 =. eda
hort address which w.. we'll IL receive, %
, fae eeRara tten ended with a banuue